Prepare to get tipsy at a new NoMa bar that will transport you to a galaxy far, far away.
The Dark Side Bar, a Star Wars-themed pop-up, opened in Northeast D.C. Wednesday. The themed bar is part of a larger national unveiling – with sister pop-ups opening in New York and Los Angeles – to coincide with the release of the new film “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” out Dec. 15.
The temporary bar will take over Mythology – a two-story bar and restaurant located at 816 H St. NE – for a two-month excursion to the Star Wars universe. The Dark Side Bar features a sparse, industrial design that follows the film series’ galactic theme. The hosts and bartenders on scene can be found decked out in clothing fit for the Imperial Army.
Todd Luongo, the owner of Mythology, said the bar should make you feel like you are on a Star Destroyer with the villains of the trilogy, but that the self-proclaimed jedi are welcome as well.
“This is a friendly Empire bar, we serve everyone,” Luongo said.
Luongo said he was inspired to work with New Gold Empire – the entertainment company running the pop-ups – after collaborating with them on a Will Ferrell-themed pop-up bar earlier this year. The concept for a Star Wars pop-up was brewing for a couple of months before Luongo and Mythology joined on, and they coordinated a joint opening just in time for the eighth film release with two other locations across the country.
Tickets for the bar, which include two signature cocktails, can be bought in advance online for $33 or at the door for $40. The bar is open nightly from 6 to 10 p.m., where patrons enter at three scheduled time slots.
You may fly off into hyperspace after guzzling one of the six Star Wars-themed drinks, which cost $14 each. These custom cocktails look sinister, donning deep reds and chrome colors that either smoke up due to dry ice or emit flames from a layer of 151 proof rum. A small menu of Star Wars-themed snacks will also be available for purchase.
Mindtrick, a smoking, lime-green cocktail, may fool you into going home with a dashing Han Solo-type, only to realize when you sober up that he really looked more like a wookie.
The bar is dubbed an “intergalactic burlesque,” according to the website, and “performers from many different planets” will be providing entertainment throughout the pop-up’s run. Luongo said he was inspired by the cantina scenes from franchise films “The Force Awakens” and “A New Hope” when planning the intermittent dance performances.
“We’re gonna have people in body paint,” Luongo said. “We’re gonna have some go-go, some burlesque-ish, with an alien tinge to it.”
Various events are planned during the bar’s run, which ends Jan. 15, including alien speed dating, trivia nights and costume contests with prizes. DJ sets on the weekend will be spinning Top 40 hits. Luongo said music inspired by the film’s soundtrack will be interspersed throughout performances, but that it will sonically resemble usual D.C. bars.
Leave your lightsabers at home because all weapons will be checked at the door. Costumes are encouraged, though, so don your best Slave Leia outfit, even if you feel like Jabba the Hutt.
If you catch someone in the crowd breathing down your neck, it’s probably just Darth Vader, who will be wandering around the bar nightly.
“It’s all about the experience,” Luongo said. “We just want to get people to come with an attitude to immerse themselves and have fun.”
